To operate a new high-end video adapter card installed in an expansion slot on a motherboard, the key requirement is often the need for additional power beyond what the PCIe slot provides. High-end video cards typically require:
- A PCIe x16 expansion slot (most common for modern high-end cards, although some may use x8),
- One or more additional power connectors, commonly two 8-pin power connectors, to supply the necessary extra power for the card to function effectively.
The 24-pin ATX power connector powers the motherboard but is not specifically required to operate the video card itself. The older PCI expansion slot is not suitable for modern high-end video cards. Therefore, the crucial elements for operating a high-end video adapter card include the appropriate PCIe expansion slot and typically two 8-pin power connectors from the power supply unit to provide the extra power needed by the card.
